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IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection comparison

The compared IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy and IBM Security Guardium Data Protection solutions aren't in the same category. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy is ranked #7 in DM , with an average rating of 8.0, and holds a 4.0% mindshare in the category. IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is ranked #1 in DS , with an average rating of 8.4, and holds a 27.5% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 86% of IBM Security Guardium Data Protection users who would recommend it.
IBM InfoSphere Optim Data P...
Read 1 IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy review
  • 476 Views
  • 347 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
IBM Security Guardium Data ...
Read 80 IBM Security Guardium Data Protection reviews
  • 5,468 Views
  • 4,538 Comparison Views
86% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy and IBM Security Guardium Data Protection based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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Data Masking
February 2026
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

IBM InfoSphere Optim Data P...
Average Rating
8.0
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
Data Masking (7th)
IBM Security Guardium Data ...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
80
Ranking in other categories
Database Security (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

While both are Database Development and Management Tools solutions, they serve different purposes. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy is designed for Data Masking and holds a mindshare of 4.0%, up 2.2% compared to last year.
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection, on the other hand, focuses on Database Security, holds 27.5% mindshare, down 33.0% since last year.
Data Masking Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy4.0%
Perforce Delphix10.8%
Broadcom Test Data Manager7.3%
Other77.9%
Data Masking
Database Security Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection27.5%
Imperva Data Security Fabric26.0%
Oracle Audit Vault11.7%
Other34.8%
Database Security
 

Featured Reviews

HansMiseur - PeerSpot reviewer
HansMiseur
Director at Suadasoft Info Cura
A stable and flexible product that improves development time
The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our production environment in the past, but that’s no longer the case. We can now work with actual data in a production-like setting without production data. The shift to non-production data for testing and development has significantly improved our workflow. Developers can now work with fewer errors when deploying to production. The delivery of new software became faster, and errors significantly decreased. Working with actual data during the development phase allowed us to catch and address issues early rather than encountering them later during acceptance or production.
Read full review
DP
David Plazer
Chief Executive Officer at Kipustec
Ensures data security and compliance with reliable alerts and protections
The manuals should be clearer. There needs to be an online course or tutorial for faster management training. The maintenance was slightly complicated. I had to read the manuals carefully and even failed the Guardium certification exam due to insufficient information or time. Improving the tool learning process would be beneficial.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our production environment in the past, but that’s no longer the case. We can now work with actual data in a production-like setting without production data. The shift to non-production data for testing and development has significantly improved our workflow."
"IBM Guardium Data Protection is very good at keeping your database secure."
"The possible number of databases and database servers which can be monitored by Guardium is high. For me, this is a differentiator of IBM."
"Accelerators is one of the big functions they have out there. It gives you canned reports that you don't have to make yourself, they're out there by being part of the patch. You just have to fill your information in to some of the already built groups, for your environment, and it automates a lot of that. That has definitely helped improve things."
"It does not require our involvement to run it. It runs in the background and the people that do the reporting do so. The reports go to the directors who are in charge of the various data areas. It's pretty clean. Clearly there is some setup, but after you get it set up it just goes."
"Ability to define reports based on SQL query, especially when you have complex report criteria."
"Compliance Quick Start – Quick, GUI, step-by-step guide to automate compliance and give the customer a quick ROI."
"Efficiency is key and IBM Guardium provides information in a heartbeat, but protects the data with military grade encryption."
"The most valuable feature is the visualization of data and the ability to monitor our databases."
More IBM Security Guardium Data Protection pros
 

Cons

"We have encountered challenges with different intgrity structures. In my experience, I’ve encountered challenges with implementing business cases. While the product remains stable, translating its use cases can be more complex. This involves both technical and functional considerations."
"The solution could be improved for NoSQL databases."
"Setup can be complex. The documentation is in so many different locations, and a lot of times we have to leverage support and higher level resources to figure out the right steps to take."
"There could be a feature to integrate and protect multiple databases. The local support services need improvements as well."
"Needs easier integration with custom applications."
"The integration part of the present solution is very complex and tedious. Plus it gives a lot of false positives which need to be eradicated over time."
"The analysis part of this product could be improved. It's a very comprehensive product, so the features it has complement customer requirements. But I would like to see more emphasis on analytics, and it would be great if they added machine learning. They already have analysis insights, but a comprehensive analytical feature that's already incorporated into the solution would be very helpful."
"Flexibility could be improved."
"The main issue I have with IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is the support. It's not good."
More IBM Security Guardium Data Protection cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy's pricing is not expensive. It was less than what we expected. The licensing model for IBM Optim involves a one-time purchase followed by an annual subscription fee. This fee covers ongoing support and access to new versions. However, there are no options for extended or additional support."
"The biggest challenge is the cost associated with the product, and the cost of maintaining. Everything is not translated directly to the benefits we see. There are benefits, yes, but if I were writing the check, would I buy Guardium? No."
"I would suggest to review the type of data, need for security, and if the organizational structure needs the options IBM Guardium provides."
"For IBM Guardium, licensing is very simple and straightforward. There are no issues I can speak of."
"IBM solutions have fair price strategy, and operates on a yearly basis. If it's a SaaS solution, then you can opt for yearly basis."
"We haven't talked much about pricing and licencing. But it is not cheap for sure"
"The cost depends on the number of databases. You can purchase advanced licenses, but the standard license is calculated based on the number of databases you have to onboard."
"The tool is not cheap, but it is not expensive."
"​If you are researching this type of solution, work with IBM."
More IBM Security Guardium Data Protection pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Financial Services Firm
25%
Computer Software Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Insurance Company
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business28
Midsize Enterprise17
Large Enterprise44
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our pr...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy's pricing is not expensive. It was less than what we expected. The licensing model for IBM Optim involves a one-time purchase followed by an annual subscription fe...
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
We have encountered challenges with different intgrity structures. In my experience, I’ve encountered challenges with implementing business cases. While the product remains stable, translating its ...
See all answers
How does IBM Guardium Data Protection compare with Imperva SecureSphere Database Security?
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is a solution for database security from IBM that gives complete visibility, control, and analysis to secure sensitive data and comply with regulations. IBM S...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Guardium Data Protection?
I don't remember the exact prices, but Guardium is an expensive tool because it is targeted towards corporate enterprises.
See all answers
What do you like most about IBM Security Guardium Data Protection?
The features I like are the robust policies, which allow us to create customized monitoring based on specific activities.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Protegrity’s Data Protection Platform vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy Logo
Protegrity’s Data Protection Platform vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy
Compared 26% of the time
iScramble vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy Logo
iScramble vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy
Compared 22% of the time
OpenText Data Privacy and Protection Foundation (Voltage) vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy Logo
OpenText Data Privacy and Protection Foundation (Voltage) vs IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy
Compared 16% of the time
More IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy Competitors
Imperva Data Security Fabric vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Logo
Imperva Data Security Fabric vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
Compared 55% of the time
Oracle Audit Vault vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Logo
Oracle Audit Vault vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
Compared 13% of the time
DataSunrise Database Security vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Logo
DataSunrise Database Security vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
Compared 5% of the time
Oracle Database Vault vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Logo
Oracle Database Vault vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
Compared 3% of the time
OpenText Data Privacy and Protection Foundation (Voltage) vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Logo
OpenText Data Privacy and Protection Foundation (Voltage) vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
Compared 3% of the time
More IBM Security Guardium Data Protection Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Data Masking
February 2026
IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy reportDownload IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy product report
Buyer's Guide
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection
January 2026
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection reportDownload IBM Security Guardium Data Protection product report
 

Also Known As

IBM Optim Data Privacy, Optim Data Privacy
InfoSphere Guardium, Guardium, IBM Guardium
 

Overview

Optim Data Privacy supports Format Preserving Encryption (FPE) and is based on the Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit (AES-256) algorithm providing the capability to produce unique masked values that are extremely varied and without a discernible pattern.

IBM

IBM Security Guardium Data Protection offers automatic discovery and classification of sensitive data, real-time monitoring, and advanced analytics to identify unusual activities around data.

IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is designed to safeguard sensitive data across enterprises with real-time activity monitoring and comprehensive security features. Its capabilities include data discovery, classification, and compliance automation with pre-built templates for regulations like PCI, SOX, HIPAA, and CCPA. Supporting a variety of platforms, it facilitates seamless monitoring, making it a valuable asset for diverse environments in maintaining data security and compliance.

What are the key features?
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Provides alerts for unauthorized activities.
  • Data Masking: Protects data through masking techniques.
  • Access Control: Ensures only authorized users gain access.
  • Query Rewriting: Alters queries to maintain data integrity.
  • Platform Support: Monitors across multiple environments.
Why consider this for ROI?
  • Ease of Deployment: Simplifies the setup process for enterprises.
  • Robust Reporting: Enhances transparency through detailed audit trails.
  • Compliance Automation: Streamlines compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates potential risks efficiently.

Industries like banking and finance utilize IBM Security Guardium Data Protection to enhance database security and compliance efforts. Enterprises employ it to detect incidents and manage vulnerabilities, focusing on protecting customer data and maintaining privacy standards. The technology aids in incident detection and supports adherence to security regulations.

IBM
 

Sample Customers

Rabobank
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
Data Masking
February 2026
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